15 Charlotte Tattoo Artists You Should Be Following on Instagram

By Kylie Moore

Admittedly, I’m not a tattoo person, but it’s not because I don’t think they can’t be over-the-top cool – it’s because I can’t stomach committing to something that permanent.

These artists, well-known and respected in the Charlotte tattoo scene, though? They might make a girl think again.

@alextattoosnc

Who: Alex Santaloci
Studio: Canvas Tattoos, 201 West Morehead Street
Followers: 1,700+

Always have a blast when I get to tattoo Faye. #nctattooers

A post shared by Alex Santaloci (@alextattoosnc) on Feb 4, 2017 at 6:04pm PST

Had fun doing this custom geometric job on a super tough chick. Thanks, Leah and Courtney! #nctattooers

A post shared by Alex Santaloci (@alextattoosnc) on Jan 14, 2017 at 6:49pm PST

Had a blast doing this watercolor owl last night on a super tough dude. Thanks so much, Caleb! #nctattooers #owltattoo #watercolortattoo

A post shared by Alex Santaloci (@alextattoosnc) on Dec 29, 2016 at 9:46am PST

@christoler

Who: Chris Toler
Studio: Seventh Sin Tattoo Company, 927 Central Avenue
Followers: 33,500+

I dont have a good caption for this one. Just that #StarWars rules! Also…side note…this piece is only about 7 inches in diameter.

A post shared by CHRIS TOLER (@christoler) on Jan 19, 2017 at 12:27pm PST

A gnarly Charlie for ya.

A post shared by CHRIS TOLER (@christoler) on Jan 7, 2017 at 11:17am PST

@jake_thorsell

Who: Jake Thorsell
Studio: Fu’s Custom Tattoo, 3200 North Davidson Street
Followers: 6,100+

SWEET CAROLINA PANTHER! Thank you Rebecca for another awesome project!! #nctattooers #fuscustomtattoos #panthers #carolinapanthers #charlottepride #camnewton #luuuuke #panthertattoo #panthernation #keeppounding #oldlines #traditionalclub #americanatattoos

A post shared by Jake Thorsell Tattoo Artist (@jake_thorsell) on Jan 16, 2017 at 6:11am PST

Here's to getting white girl drunk off jalapeño pale ale on someone's birthday! Party On!! #nctattooers #fuscustomtattoos #waynesworld #charlottetattooers #nbcsnl #partytimeexcellent #waynecampbell #sistertattoos #saturdaynightlive #partyonwayne #partyongarth #partyonwaynepartyongarth

A post shared by Jake Thorsell Tattoo Artist (@jake_thorsell) on Dec 12, 2016 at 5:57am PST

And the ones that Mother gives you, don't do anything at all. #nctattooers #fuscustomtattoos #americanatattoos #besttraditionaltattoos #besttradtattoos #darkartists #darkartist #top_class_tattooing #oldlines #bright_and_bold #pills #traditionaltattoo #hostilejakeover

A post shared by Jake Thorsell Tattoo Artist (@jake_thorsell) on Nov 11, 2016 at 6:27am PST

@jasonhanna_mtl

Who: Jason Hanna
Studio: Made To Last Tattoo, 129 North Poplar Street
Followers: 3,400+

Last one of the night! Super fun #trueromance tat!!! #madetolasttattoo #charlottetattooers #nctattooers #tattoodo #tattoosnob #skinartmag #blackworkerssubmission #blackandgreytattoo

A post shared by Jason Hanna (@jasonhanna_mtl) on Sep 24, 2016 at 5:25pm PDT

Mountain scene from today. #madetolasttattoo

A post shared by Jason Hanna (@jasonhanna_mtl) on Sep 15, 2016 at 4:06pm PDT

North Kackalacky with some script #madetolasttattoo #charlottetattooers

A post shared by Jason Hanna (@jasonhanna_mtl) on Aug 10, 2016 at 5:21pm PDT

@jordanstattoos

Who: Jordan Matchin
Studio: Divine Arts Tattoo, 10915 Monroe Road
Followers: 2,290+

I started this half sleeve today, so much fun! @divineartstattoo #jordanstattoos #nctattooers #divineartstattoo #geometrictattoos #blackworkers #blackworktattoo #beartattoo #mandala #mandalatattoo

A post shared by Jordan Matchin (@jordanstattoos) on Feb 2, 2017 at 4:25pm PST

Client brought the reference, fun walk-in today! @divineartstattoo #divineartstattoo #jordanstattoos #nctattooers #blackworkers #blackworktattoo #mountains #themountainsarecalling

A post shared by Jordan Matchin (@jordanstattoos) on Feb 7, 2017 at 3:29pm PST

Howl's Moving Castle half sleeve. #divineartstattoo #jordanstattoos #nctattooers #charlottetattooers #howlsmovingcastle #halfsleeve

A post shared by Jordan Matchin (@jordanstattoos) on Feb 4, 2017 at 3:44pm PST

@justinjohnson_tattooer

Who: Justin Johnson
Studio: Fu’s Custom Tattoo, 3200 North Davidson Street
Followers: 2,100+

Knock the skullfly out on my homie dome. Fun one. Thanks for looking!

A post shared by Justin Johnson (@justinjohnson_tattooer) on Jan 3, 2017 at 2:40pm PST

Stoked I got to tattoo this cow ant on my homie Gerry.. thanks bro ! #charlottetattooers #nctattooers #seustattoos #insecttattoo

A post shared by Justin Johnson (@justinjohnson_tattooer) on Sep 27, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT

Small peace pizza on lower shin. #makepizzanotwar

A post shared by Justin Johnson (@justinjohnson_tattooer) on Jul 8, 2016 at 6:55pm PDT

@lazers_spikes

Who: Matt Terry
Studio: Fu’s Custom Tattoo, 3200 North Davidson Street
Followers: 870+

The Prince nebula. #mattterryart #prince #portraittattoo #nctattooers #charlottetattooers #fuscustomtattoos

A post shared by Matt Terry (@lazers_spikes) on Dec 1, 2016 at 9:10pm PST

Finally done! @cmered is officially one of my faves… part1.

A post shared by Matt Terry (@lazers_spikes) on Nov 4, 2016 at 10:52pm PDT

Long day for artist and client… #mattterryart #fuscustomtattoos #liontattoo #blendedimagery #familyelementstattoo #nctattooers #charlottetattooers

A post shared by Matt Terry (@lazers_spikes) on Mar 9, 2016 at 6:49pm PST

@leegreenetattoos

Who: Lee Greene
Studio: Immortal Images Custom Tattoo Studio, 3750 Monroe Road
Followers: 1,760+

@immortal_images_tattoo_studio #immortal_images_tattoo_studio #704 #NCtattooers #Charlottetattooers #tattoodo #tattoosnob #tattoooftheday #toptattooartist #cooltattoos #instatattoo #inklife #thebesttattooartist #tattooistartmagazine #superb_tattoos #skinart_mag

A post shared by Lee Greene (@leegreenetattoos) on Oct 8, 2016 at 10:52am PDT

@immortal_images_tattoo_studio #immortal_images_tattoo_studio #704 #NCtattooers #Charlottetattooers #tattoodo #tattoosnob #tattoooftheday #toptattooartist #cooltattoos #instatattoo #inklife #thebesttattooartist #newschool_nation #tattooistartmagazine #superb_tattoos #skinart_mag

A post shared by Lee Greene (@leegreenetattoos) on Apr 4, 2016 at 2:07pm PDT

❤️

A post shared by Lee Greene (@leegreenetattoos) on Mar 10, 2016 at 2:12pm PST

@littlejennsmall

Who: Jenn Small
Studio: Made To Last Tattoo, 129 North Poplar Street
Followers: 27,900+

Had a productive day wrapping up most of Larken's half sleeve by shading in the flowers around her entire mid bicep area, and drawing/tattooing on halo above it! Thanks so much for being such a trooper today!

A post shared by Jenn Small MTL (@littlejennsmall) on Feb 3, 2017 at 12:45pm PST

Honored to do this Frida Kahlo tattoo today on Abbie from San Diego at @madetolasttattoo. Thanks for making me a part of your NC experience ? see you on the west coast soon!

A post shared by Jenn Small MTL (@littlejennsmall) on Jan 12, 2017 at 11:33am PST

One of my favorites on @tree_tops from awhile back!

A post shared by Jenn Small MTL (@littlejennsmall) on Dec 18, 2016 at 3:47pm PST

@nickfriedrich_amf

Who: Nick Friedrich
Studio: Canvas Tattoos, 201 West Morehead Street
Followers: 14,600+

I got this space elephant done earlier this week. The elephant is several months healed, and the space is new. #arcaneink#nctattooers#charlottetattooers#nc#tattooistartmag#tattoomag#tattooist#inkedmag#inkedsociety#spacetattoo#tattooedchicks#girlswithtattoos#ribtattoos#crazytattoos#superbtattoos#instatattoo#tattoosofinstagram#elephanttattoos#tattoo#tattooing#tattooist#hendersonville#hendersonvilletattooers#ashevilletattooers#ashevillenc#cosmic#nickfriederich#scorpio#scorpioconstellation

A post shared by XnickfriederichX (@nickfriederich_amf) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:43am PST

@slootattoos

Who: Jeremy Sloo Hamilton
Studio: Made To Last Tattoo, 129 North Poplar Street
Followers: 31,800+

Did this today in Robby for his health battle. He wanted me to reference a traditional design but do what I wanted otherwise style wise. Was fun to draw on and tattoo. @madetolasttattoo

A post shared by Jeremy✨Sloo✨ Hamilton (@slootattoos) on Feb 4, 2017 at 8:28pm PST

Flowers are the best ?

A post shared by Jeremy✨Sloo✨ Hamilton (@slootattoos) on Jan 23, 2017 at 9:34pm PST

Chelsey came today to have me recreate a concept that's been done before but my own spin on it. Red hued mermaid on a rock with sky and moon. Had fun with it, using a color scheme I'm ready fond of. @madetolasttattoo

A post shared by Jeremy✨Sloo✨ Hamilton (@slootattoos) on Jan 19, 2017 at 5:46pm PST

@tattoome_stacy

Who: Stacy Smith
Studio: Tattoo Me Charlotte, 1440 South Tryon Street
Followers: 9,600+

But leave her wild ??

A post shared by Stacy Smith (@tattoome_stacy) on Jan 27, 2017 at 7:18pm PST

Lion lines ???

A post shared by Stacy Smith (@tattoome_stacy) on Dec 29, 2016 at 6:46pm PST

Mother tree ?✨

A post shared by Stacy Smith (@tattoome_stacy) on Dec 6, 2016 at 4:51pm PST

@tattoosbyelijah

Who: Elijah Blackwell Hernandez
Studio: Sink or Swim Tattoo, 11100 Matthews Road
Followers: 4,110+

fun one from today thanks for looking

A post shared by Elijah Blackwell Hernandez (@tattoosbyelijah) on Dec 9, 2016 at 2:36pm PST

A post shared by Elijah Blackwell Hernandez (@tattoosbyelijah) on Nov 22, 2016 at 6:28am PST

piece in progress quite a bit more to do smooth out and such

A post shared by Elijah Blackwell Hernandez (@tattoosbyelijah) on Nov 19, 2016 at 11:02am PST

@uglytom

Who: Tom Michael
Studio: 510 Expert Tattoo, 510 East 35th Street
Followers: 10,200+

Getting close on @corijamestattoo thanks tough girl #510experttattoo

A post shared by Tom Michael (@uglytom) on Jan 28, 2017 at 5:25pm PST

I got Eric's pirate ship colored in today, thanks buddy! #510experttattoo

A post shared by Tom Michael (@uglytom) on Jan 5, 2017 at 1:49pm PST

All the bullshits done, starting the main event next session on @holladat ?

A post shared by Tom Michael (@uglytom) on Nov 18, 2016 at 3:59pm PST

@xskinnyx

Who: Matt Bagwell
Studio: Made To Last Tattoo, 129 North Poplar Street
Followers: 17,400+

A post shared by Matt Bagwell (@xskinnyx) on Dec 12, 2016 at 4:22pm PST

One session from yesterday. One of my favorite images to do. @madetolasttattoo #blackandgreytattoo #blackandgrey #madetolasttattoo @d_world_of_ink

A post shared by Matt Bagwell (@xskinnyx) on Feb 8, 2017 at 6:38am PST

A post shared by Matt Bagwell (@xskinnyx) on Dec 1, 2016 at 7:14am PST